In response to this post, one of my respected friends (Let's call him NC) replied to the post. Note that I have inserted some notes in some parts of the conversation to provide you, the reader, with a bit of context.

So here we go.

2 Friends Discuss the Kidapawan Carnage

NC: I am sorry TP, but why the automaticity? In as much as they are LP, do you really think all of their actions are influenced and/or directed by Mar?

TP: Either so, or he's so toothless that he can't control his own party, despite him being LP's president.

NC: By extension then, are you conceding that all the bigotry, bullying, and misdemeanors of Duterte supporters (or of any candidate for that matter) is influenced by their standard bearer? I get that you're frustrated, mad even, I am too, but I hope we don't lose our rationality.

TP: We are talking about LP party members killing starving farmers. We are talking about people in power. By what stretch of imagination did Duterte supporters enter the picture? Are Duterte supporters in charge of the police? Do they have considerable power over public funds? Are Duterte supporters in power?

The culture of impunity is deeply embedded in this administration.

Lumad killings in Northeastern Mindanao? Because Lumads don't want miners around. AFP uses paramilitary forces to terrorize them, blames the murders on NPA. Roxas is a known supporter of at least one mining crony, and he owns shares in at least 7 mining companies.

TP: Roxas allies with these people, even going as far as ditching human rights advocates like Panlilio and Padaca to support the Pinedas and the Dys. The list goes on and on and on.

Your vote for Roxas is complicity to these atrocities. So no, NC, no.

NC: How convenient to invoke these examples as if that is attributable to him and him alone. Blame the perpetrators, do not generalize. Your generalization will only hold water if you can prove that to be part of the party, one needs to kill. I don't think that's the case.

TP: For example, I murdered your mother. If I murdered your mother, then Roxas did not murder your mother, as I am not Roxas. Then 2 years from now, Roxas allies with me, despite his full knowledge that I murdered your mother. Are you ok with that?

NC: Come on, TP. An investigation is already being conducted. Sobriety is asked in times of crisis, so problems can be solved.

TP: Yes, the same kind of investigation done on Mendiola and Hacienda Luisita. Years and years of investigation and nothing.

Let's just be thankful that we ended up with pretty decent opportunities. Because if we were helpless starving farmers, you would be singing a different tune.

NC: Crying foul for a culture of impunity? Hmmm. Pot calling the kettle black? TP, I get you. You want accountability. We all want accountability. All I am asking is sobriety in putting the blame. Or at least, if you're going to blame people, you apply the same logic to everyone, ie supporters or agents of Duterte (death squad, etc).

TP: Here's the issue, NC. I apply the same logic to anyone.

If Duterte indeed commits extrajudicial killings, why has the CHR failed to file even a single against him? I am not even asking for a conviction, I just want a case filed.

Is Daang Matuwid that inutile? Or is the fact that Roxas even asked Duterte to be his vice-president evidence of his complicity with Duterte's alleged deeds?

Even the past administration, where his archnemesis Nograles was the powerful House Speaker, was unable to dig up anything to warrant probable cause.

Homicidal rhetoric is what it is: rhetoric.

I'd rather stick with someone who claims he kills criminals, than someone who actually lets his allies kill starving farmers.

NC: I know you don't like him, but let's be fair. Don't vote for him. The guy's not omnipresent, omniscient, and omnipotent. He has his lapses, but let's not blame him for everything, because that's just unfair.

TP: For the sake of argument, consider the worst case scenario: both Duterte and Roxas commit, or allow other to commit, extrajudicial killings. Even Roxas would admit that Duterte targets alleged criminals. Roxas, on the other hand, lets others target starving impoverished farmers.

Now in these situations where choosing a candidate is about choosing the lesser evil, the optimal choice is pretty clear.

NC: Impressive argument, but alam mo, I am not asking you to vote for Mar or even to consider him. I know you already made up your mind.

All I am asking is fairness and sobriety in the statements we make. Kasi if you generalize that LP is a lean, mean, killing party, then Panlilio, Padaca, Hontiveros, de Lima, at iba pang matino sa LP ay killers din, and I don't think that's the case.

TP: NC, Roxas-LP has already betrayed Panlilio and Padaca. I'll give you Risa Hontiveros, she's decent as far as I know. De Lima rubs elbows with gang lords in jail. Don't be clueless, you're part of that organization.

This handwashing culture of LP is the exact reason why impunity pervades PH society. Haven't you heard about bottom-up budgeting? Are these LP-supported LGUs the kind of people you want to facilitate BuB?

NC: I just do not agree with the automaticity of blaming Mar. Maybe he is partly to blame, maybe he's not, but who are we to judge?

TP: We are the electorate. That gives us the right to judge. Do you seriously think that voting for Mar means voting for Mar alone? Don't be naive.

NC: I am a part of the technical staff. I work for my boss, I do not work for the party. Again, generalization.

TP: Jesus Christ, NC.

NC: So if Mar punishes the candidate under LP who facilitated this (if proven) will you be okay with it then? Or are you then going to spin it as a "handwashing culture"? There's no winning in this e. I am curious, what course of action do you expect the party to do?

TP: You miss the point. This carnage is but another instance of the kind of corruption that is present within LPs ranks. Whether Mar rectifies or not is not the urgent issue. The question is will he be able to clean LP by June 30? Despite the entire corrupt ARMM LGUs, despite the Pinedas of Pampanga, despite the Dys of Isabela, despite the Ortegas of La Union?

Mar is known to go Pontius Pilate when things get fucked up (leaving Erap's admin, leaving Gloria's, Mamasapano, Yolanda). I did not want to explain this anymore, but I have respect for your opinion. Note, however, that recently, some of them smell like shit.

NC: There's no winning in this e. I am curious, what course of action do you expect the party to do?

About ThinkingPinoy

ThinkingPinoy, its contents, and its associated social media accounts were created, published, and maintained solely by ThinkingPinoy (TP) in his personal capacity. TP is not officially affiliated with any political party. Unless otherwise specified, the opinions expressed in this website and its associated social media accounts are TP’s own and do not necessarily reflect the view of any particular political party.